In this episode of the Apple Universe Podcast, Macworld predictions run high, and a iPhone battery review heats up!

News:

• AT&T Begins Selling $99 (Refurbished) iPhone
• New iMacs Shipping January 2009?
• Apple Updates MobileMe Online Apps
• Get VMWare Fusion 2.0 at a steal, after rebates, free upgrade
• 1Password for iPhone Adds Landscape Mode Support and Password Generator
• Blogo 1.2 adds Ping.fm, Expression Engine, HTML, Comment Moderation
• App4mac releases CheckUp 2.0 Public Beta for Mac OS X

Review:

• Richard|Solo 1800
• Mophie iPhone 3G Juicepack
• FastMac iV

Host/Executive Producer: Daniel Brusilovsky
Associate Producer: Sean Blake
Length: 20:26

Sponsors:

• Drop.io – Simple Private Sharing
• iCultur – iCultur.com is a new and exciting environment on the Internet for everyone out there who loves to “think different”
• shinywhitebox – Great software for Mac. The makers of iShowU, Stomp and now Chatter!
• Skitch – The best screen capture program for the Mac!

If you would like to sponsor Apple Universe, contact the Sales team at .

Theme Music is provided by Daphna Kalfon. Apple Universe is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network and the Teen Podcasters Network.

 Apple Universe Podcast #156: iPhone Battery Showdown! [20:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

written by Daniel Brusilovsky \\ tags: Apple, Apple Universe Podcast, Battery, FastMac, iMac, iPhone, iPhone 3G, Mac, Macintosh, Mophie Juicepack

In this episode of the Apple Universe Podcast, Daniel Brusilovsky and Sam Levin (camera man for the day), visit Speck Products in Palo Alto, California and talk to Brent Baer, Director of Marketing for Speck.

Our friends at Speck have given us a 25% off discount code! Use the code ‘BUDDY25‘ to get 25% of everything at the Speck website when checking out!

Host/Executive Producer: Daniel Brusilovsky
Associate Producer: Sean Blake
Length: 11:57

Sponsors:

• Drop.io – Simple Private Sharing
• iCultur – iCultur.com is a new and exciting environment on the Internet for everyone out there who loves to “think different”
• shinywhitebox – Great software for Mac. The makers of iShowU, Stomp and now Chatter!
• Skitch – The best screen capture program for the Mac!

If you would like to sponsor Apple Universe, contact the Sales team at .

Theme Music is provided by Daphna Kalfon. Apple Universe is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network and the Teen Podcasters Network.

written by Daniel Brusilovsky \\ tags: Apple, Apple Universe Podcast, Cases, Design, iPhone, MacBook, MacBook Pro, Speck Cases, Speck Products

In this episode of the Apple Universe Podcast, Daniel shares news from prMac, MacRumors and more!

News:

• Dress up as Santa Claus with your iPhone
• Zevrix Introduces Automated PDF Output Solution for Microsoft Word
• Latest Firefox 3.1 Beta Adds Multi-Touch Support

Review:

• Lowepro Fastpack 250
• Lowepro CompuDaypack
• Lowepro Compact AW

Cool Mac Pick with Sam Levin:

• Djay

Host/Executive Producer: Daniel Brusilovsky
Associate Producer: Sean Blake
Length: 22:34

Sponsors:

• Drop.io – Simple Private Sharing
• iCultur – iCultur.com is a new and exciting environment on the Internet for everyone out there who loves to “think different”
• shinywhitebox – Great software for Mac. The makers of iShowU, Stomp and now Chatter!
• Skitch – The best screen capture program for the Mac!

If you would like to sponsor Apple Universe, contact the Sales team at .

Theme Music is provided by Daphna Kalfon. Apple Universe is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network and the Teen Podcasters Network.

 Apple Universe Podcast #154 - Santa's iPhone [22:35m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

written by Daniel Brusilovsky \\ tags: Apple, Apple Universe Podcast, Bags, Firmware Update, Holidays, iPhone, Lowepro, PDF, Zevrix

In this episode of the Apple Universe Podcast, Daniel shares news from prMac, MacRumors and more!

News:

• Pixelmator Team Releases Pixelmator 1.3.1
• MacScripter LLC launches MacDeveloper Beta Testing Resource
• Mien Software releases MediaEdit 3.1.2
• Apple Promotes Environmentally Friendly Notebooks in New Ad
• Apple Releases iTunes 8.0.2
• Apple Releases iPhone 2.2 Firmware

Review:

• iPhone 3G Defender Case
• Eos Wireless Core System

Host/Executive Producer: Daniel Brusilovsky
Associate Producer: Sean Blake
Length: 17:13

Sponsors:

• Drop.io – Simple Private Sharing
• iCultur – iCultur.com is a new and exciting environment on the Internet for everyone out there who loves to “think different”
• shinywhitebox – Great software for Mac. The makers of iShowU, Stomp and now Chatter!
• Skitch – The best screen capture program for the Mac!

If you would like to sponsor Apple Universe, contact the Sales team at .

Theme Music is provided by Daphna Kalfon. Apple Universe is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network and the Teen Podcasters Network.

 Apple Universe Podcast #153 - iPhone 2.2 Firmware Update [17:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

written by Daniel Brusilovsky \\ tags: Apple, Apple Podcast, Apple Rumors, Apple Universe, Apple Universe Podcast, Cases, iPhone, MacRumors, News, prMac

The long awaited iPhone firmware version 2.2 has appeared in iTunes. You can install it now by clicking the “Check for Update” button in your iPhone Summary panel. The iPhone 2.2 update includes:

- Google Street View in Google Maps
- Public Transit and Walking directions in Google Maps
- Display the address of a place when you drop a pin
- Share your location via email
- A fix for a scheduled fetching of email bug
- Improved stability and performance of Safari
- Podcasts can be downloaded right to the iPhone over WiFi or 3G
- A decrease in call failures/dropped calls
- Improved sound quality of visual voicemail messages
- The ability to return to the main home iPhone screen with the click of the home button
- The ability to turn on and off the keyboard auto-correction feature

Also, Apple has released iTunes 8.02. The update is available in your Mac OS X software update.

iTunes 8.0.2 improves stability and performance and provides a number of important bug fixes, including:

- Addresses a quality issue creating MP3s on some computers.
- Fixes a connectivity issue with the iTunes Store when using some Internet proxies with Mac OS X.
- Improves accessibility with VoiceOver.

[Information provided via MacRumors and VentureBeat]

UPDATE: iPhone 2.2 firmware update is successful for me as of 11:03 PM PST. Pictures of the process have been posted on my Flickr account here.

written by Daniel Brusilovsky \\ tags: 2.2, Apple, Firmware, iPhone, iPhone 2.2, iPhone 3G, Update

In this episode of the Apple Universe Podcast, Daniel shares from

News:

• Marware announces the Eco Vue for iPod touch 2G
• TweakerSoft introduces CoffeeBreak 1.0 for iPhone
• FastMac Announces iV Extended Battery and Charger for Apple iPhone 3G
• EasyCatalog for InDesign CS4 Now Available

Review:

• KOSS SB45 Multi-Media Stereophone
• Griffin Wave for iPhone 3G

Mac Pick of the Week:

• Stage Hand

Host/Executive Producer: Daniel Brusilovsky
Associate Producer: Sean Blake
Length: 22:51

Sponsors:

• Drop.io – Simple Private Sharing
• iCultur – iCultur.com is a new and exciting environment on the Internet for everyone out there who loves to “think different”
• shinywhitebox – Great software for Mac. The makers of iShowU, Stomp and now Chatter!
• Skitch – The best screen capture program for the Mac!

If you would like to sponsor Apple Universe, contact the Sales team at .

Theme Music is provided by Daphna Kalfon. Apple Universe is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network and the Teen Podcasters Network.

 Apple Universe Podcast #152 - FastMac iV for iPhone 3G [22:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

written by Daniel Brusilovsky \\ tags: Apple, Apple Universe Podcast, EasyCatalog, FastMac, KOSS, Mac, Marware, Reviews, Rumors, Stage Hand, TeakerSoft

In this episode of the Apple Universe Podcast, Daniel reviews 2 great products:

Beats by Dr. Dre produced by Monster:

The good: The Beats by Dr. Dre headphones offer a stylish and comfortable design as well as crisp audio. Sound quality is balanced, with a great thumping bass. Included are a nice carrying case and all cables, and adapters.

The bad: The Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones cannot be used without batteries. Glossy black design is very smudge-prone. Right ear-cup rattles occasionally while you walk.

Daniel’s rating: 4.5 out of 5

Purchase: Apple | Best Buy | Amazon | Monster

CORRECTION: I apologize for mistaking Dr. Dre and 2Pac during the show.

Card Scan Executive for Mac

The US $259.99 package includes the small (3.5″ x 6.4″ x 1.6″) scanner, a CD-ROM with Mac and Windows versions of CardScan’s contact management software, and a USB cable. What? No power brick? Nope — it’s bus-powered so you can eliminate one more power plug. The scanner worked fine for me plugged into a USB 2.0 hub.

If you handle a lot of business cards in your daily life, CardScan Executive for Mac is a must-have. It speeds up entry of business card data into your electronic systems and works very welll for a first Mac release.

Daniel’s Rating: 5 out of 5

Purchase: CardScan | Amazon

Host/Executive Producer: Daniel Brusilovsky
Associate Producer: Sean Blake
Length: 13:31

Sponsors:

• Drop.io – Simple Private Sharing
• iCultur – iCultur.com is a new and exciting environment on the Internet for everyone out there who loves to “think different”
• shinywhitebox – Great software for Mac. The makers of iShowU, Stomp and now Chatter!
• Skitch – The best screen capture program for the Mac!

If you would like to sponsor Apple Universe, contact the Sales team at .

Theme Music is provided by Daphna Kalfon. Apple Universe is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network and the Teen Podcasters Network.

 Apple Universe Podcast #151 - Beats by Dr. Dre [13:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

written by Daniel Brusilovsky \\ tags: Apple, Apple Podcast, Apple Universe Podcast, Beats, CardScan, Dr Dre, Mac, Monster, Podcast, Review

In this episode of the Apple Universe Podcast, Michael Johnston (@michaeljohnston on Twitter), Editor in Chief of iPhoneAlley: All Things iPhone.

• QuickPwn 2.1 For Windows Released
• Trism Rakes In $250,000 In Two Months
• iCopter
• iPhone Alley Podcast

This week, Daniel reviewed the Xtand by Just Mobile. The Just Mobile Xtand holds the iPhone vertically or horizontally, and rotates 360º so that you have your choice of viewing angles. The Xtand received 4.5 out of 5 stars from Daniel.

Consumers can buy the JustMobile® Xtand™ from myGearStore and, nuCourse Distribution is the
only national distributor of the aforementioned product.

Host/Executive Producer: Daniel Brusilovsky
Associate Producer: Sean Blake

REMINDER: The 2008 PodCastAwards are up and running, so please vote for Apple Universe! Just headover to PodCastAwards.com, fill in Apple Universe Podcast and the URL (http://www.appleuniversepodcast.com) and head to the bottom of the page, and fill in your info.

Sponsors:

• Drop.io – Simple Private Sharing
• iCultur – iCultur.com is a new and exciting environment on the Internet for everyone out there who loves to “think different”
• shinywhitebox – Great software for Mac. The makers of iShowU, Stomp and now Chatter!
• Skitch – The best screen capture program for the Mac!

If you would like to sponsor Apple Universe, contact the Sales team at .

Theme Music is provided by Daphna Kalfon. Apple Universe is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network and the Teen Podcasters Network.

 Apple Universe Podcast #150 - QuickPwn [18:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

written by Daniel Brusilovsky \\ tags: Apple, Apple Universe, Apple Universe Podcast, Drop.io, iCultur, iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhoneAlley, Just-Mobile, Podcast, Podcasting, Rumors, Skitch, Xtand

Apple Universe is pleased to announce that Apple Universe has 2 new sponsors! Please welcome Drop.io, the simple private sharing solution, and iCultur. iCultur.com is a new and exciting environment on the Internet for everyone out there who loves to “think different”.

Please visit their sites, and if your interested in sponsoring the Apple Universe Podcast, please email the Sales team!

written by Daniel Brusilovsky \\ tags: Apple, Apple Universe Podcast, Drop.io, iCultur, Podcast, Sponsors

In this episode of the Apple Universe Podcast, Daniel talks about the latest news on prMac, prMac is focused on providing value. They believe that any business should have access to state-of-the-art public relations tools at a price that fits their budget. They provide the necessary tools you need to create, manage and distribute your press releases, making it easy to manage every aspect of your organization’s public relations activities.

• New Sonicfire Pro 5 Featured in Larry Jordan’s Final Cut Seminar Tour
• MarketBuddy 2.0 released for Mac and Windows
• Apple reseller now includes British Infovox iVox voices with every Mac
• Nuclear Nova introduces GL Golf 1.0 for iPhone and iPod Touch
• Marware announces Sport Grip Extreme for Apple iPod nano 4G
• LaCie 4big Quadra Sets a New Standard in RAID Technology

This week, Daniel reviewed 2 amazing Marware products. First, the Marware Protection Pack Deluxe which received 5 out of 5 stars. Next, Daniel reviewed Sportfolio for 13” MacBook, which received a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

REMINDER: The 2008 PodCastAwards are up and running, so please vote for Apple Universe! Just headover to PodCastAwards.com, fill in Apple Universe Podcast and the URL (http://www.appleuniversepodcast.com) and head to the bottom of the page, and fill in your info.

Sponsors:

• shinywhitebox – Great software for Mac. The makers of iShowU, Stomp and now Chatter!
• Skitch – The best screen capture program for the Mac!

If you would like to sponsor Apple Universe, contact the Sales team at .

Theme Music is provided by Daphna Kalfon. Apple Universe is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network and the Teen Podcasters Network.

 Apple Universe Podcast #148 - LaCie 4big Quadra [18:35m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

written by Daniel Brusilovsky \\ tags: Apple, Apple Inc, Apple Universe Podcast, Daniel Brusilovsky, iVox, LaCie, MarketBuddy, Marware, News, Nuclear Nova, Rumors, Sonicfire Pro 5